Welcome to the Good News Roundup for January 12, 2026
Twin birth brings hope for endangered mountain gorillas
This week, rangers at Virunga National Park have discovered the rare birth of mountain gorilla twins in the Bageni family, a remarkable event for one of the world’s most endangered species.
The arrival lifts the family to 59 members, making it the largest in the park, and represents a significant boost for ongoing conservation efforts.
With fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas left globally, the twins are a hopeful sign of recovery made possible through decades of protection and care.
For more information and photos of the adorable twins, read more here.
From patient to partner in the operating theatre
We have a powerful story of gratitude and full circle purpose to share. Mesfin Yana Dollar travelled from a small village in Ethiopia to the United States as a teenager for life saving heart surgery.
Today Mesfin works at the Mayo Clinic as a cardiac perfusionist and now stands alongside the cardiothoracic surgeon Jim Kauten, the very doctor who operated on him years ago.
Together, the two men now perform surgeries on mission trips to Ethiopia, giving others the same second chance Mesfin once received.
Read more of their story here.
Electric vehicles take the lead as Norway nears a fossil free future
Climate progress continues as Norway has all but eliminated new fossil fuel car sales, with electric vehicles making up around 97 per cent of new cars sold in 2025.
In a further milestone, EVs have now overtaken diesel cars to become the most common vehicle type on Norwegian roads.
The achievement reflects years of consistent policy, incentives and investment in clean transport, positioning Norway as a global leader in the transition to an emission free vehicle fleet.
You can find the full details here.
A healthier generation starts now: UK bans junk food adverts
The UK has taken a bold step to protect children’s health. Food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) can no longer be advertised on TV before 9pm or online at any time. This includes products like soft drinks, chocolates, pizzas and ice creams.
The aim is simple but powerful: give children a better chance to make healthy choices, reduce childhood obesity, and inspire food companies to innovate with more nutritious options.
Experts say this long-overdue move could prevent thousands of cases of obesity, setting the stage for a brighter, healthier future for the next generation.
Read more on the ban here.
